"Sinclair's initiative is an exciting new development for the Patriot League and its member institutions," Patriot League Executive Director Carolyn Schlie Femovich said. "This initiative serves the Patriot League's mission of excellence in academics and athletics, and allows us to showcase our schools and student-athletes across the country."

The initial launch of ASN will include live broadcasts football, basketball, soccer and other sports from over 50 universities and colleges telecast in different regions of the country. Sinclair's broadcast stations will either be carrying the games and original content as part of the primary program lineup (generally on the company's CW and MyNet affiliates) or as part of second channels (sub-channels of the primary station's signal), complimented by access and distribution on digital platforms.

Pending successfully securing carriage agreements with distributors in the future, future plans may include the development of new cable networks and digital platforms. The company also said other television broadcasters have expressed an interest in distributing the games in their markets.

Additional content and distribution elements will include programming that showcases the colleges, students, and student-athletes, focusing on their aspirations and achievements.

"Broadcasters serve and are closely connected to their communities, of which the colleges and universities are an integral part," Sinclair Networks COO, Doron Gorshein said in a release announcing the start-up. "We believe there is significant value and consumer appeal for live sporting events from these important institutions, and we can offer expanded distribution through our broadcast platforms, as well as on potential new platforms, deepening our connection to our communities. We're proud to be working with the Conferences on this initiative, which combines compelling local sports and related content, with enhanced localism, diversity, and positive social purpose."

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is the largest and one of the most diversified television broadcasting companies with affiliations with all the major networks. Sinclair's television group will reach approximately 38.9 percent of U.S. television households, including pending transactions.